Lightning-arrester for high-tension lines



UNITED STATES, PATENT ourion.

SOL s. soimnnonn, or Bnoo KLYn, NEW YORK.

LIGHTNING-ARRESTER FOR HIGH-TENSION LINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 12, 1919.

Application filed February 10, 1917. Serial No. 147,737.

ning arresters, and more particularly to a combination of the two in a unitary structure. I

The object of the invention is to provide efficient means for sustaining and protecting high-potential transmission lines. A transmission line must needs be insulated for its working potential from the earth and other lines of different potential. If it were merely necessary to insulate a high-potent1al transmission line against normal working voltages, the problem would be comparatively simple. mission lines are subject to abnormal potentials and to abnormal potentials at'abnormally high frequencies. It is the abnormally high potential at an abnormally high frequency which usually gives the'greatest trouble. Such disturbances may be occasioned by a lightning stroke, a line surge due to the opening of a switch, a short circuit, or other causes. If a transmission line installation is such as not to give Protection against hi gh-potential higlnfrequency surges from any cause whatsoever, the usual point of weakness is the puncture strength of the insulators. An insulator, once punctured, is valueless, and not only entails the expense of replacement but the expense of a shut-down on the line. I

This invention has for its object the. protection of both the line and of the insulators from high-potential surges. Themanner in which the objectof the invention is to be carried out is the combining of the best practice in lightning arrester construction with the best practice in insulator construction. A lightning arrester, to be most efficient with its connections, should constitute a discharge circuit over the shortest and most direct path from the line to the ground. Inasmuch as insulators must provide a considerable length of surface leakage in order to withstand rain and surface dust, it is obvious that the shortest path from line con- In practice, however, transductor to theground cannot be around the face of the insulator. In practising this invention, a discharge circuit is axially through the insulator and the spark gap is located in a central cavity within the insulating body of the insulator, which may preferably be cylindrical, it being understood that cylindrical means broadly a solid of revolution.

' Further objects of the invention are to provide combined insulator and lightning arrester construction, the details of which will provide in the best manner for the se curing of a line conductor and the mounting and adjustment of the various parts, provisions for inspection and repair being resent.

The above and further objects of the invention will better be understood by refer ence to the accompanying claims which are directed to the illustrative embodiment of the invention described in the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, in which like characters designate correspondin parts in the several figures, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section of an illustrative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a fractional detail section on line IIII of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of theinsulator cap drawn to a reduced scale. I I

I A body portion A of suitable insulating material, which is intended to be porcelain in I the embodiment illustrated, is formed preferably as a cylinder having rain-shedding pettiooats 1, 2 and 3. A central bore providing a central cavity 4 and the upper enlarged opening 5 is present. A corrugated inverted trough 6 is likewise provided as a provision cooperating with the supporting sleeve 7, which is cylindrical and outwardly corrugated at the, top and may be formed as an integral'part of the channel iron bracket 8, adapted to straddle and be secured to a cross armas by suitable securing means through the holes 9. A threaded central boss 10 extends upwardly in an axial direction from the bottom of the sleeve 7. This entire supporting structure B may suitably be formed out of malleable iron and the insulating body A may be anchored to it by a suitable cement filling 11. The top end of the insulating body A is covered by a cap C, preferably of malleable iron having the line conductor sea-ting groove 12 and a pair of arms 13 and 14 providing oppositely positioned clips 15 and 16, to be bent about a conductor to secure it in place. The general structure of the cap C is that of an inverted cup having a suitable number of lugs 17, inwardly projecting from its flange 18, each to enter a vertical slot 19, and then, by a twist of the cap, toent'er'a substantially horizontal slot 20, so that the cap may be locked in place by a movement and functioning similar to a bayonet joint. \Vhen the cap has been screwed home, each of the slots 19 provides a continuous vent from the interior opening 5 to the exterior. Downwardly extending from the central lower face of the cap C is an internally threaded boss 25. In the bosses 10 and which are vertically alined, are adjustably screwed spark gap terminals 26 and 27. Thespark gap terminals and the space therebetween may be covered by a filling 28 of the chamber 31, provided within the sleeve 7.

It is of course to be understood that it is not necessary that the cap C have integrally provided anchoring means such as the arms and clips 13, 14, 15, 16 forsecuring the line conductor, but this construction is convenient and efiicient. Common practice is to employ a bail or clip of line wire. Inasmuch as the entire cap is conducting, no special provision for connecting the line conductor with the spark gap terminal 27 is necessary, although, for purposes of illustration, the boss 25 may be considered as such a provision or means. Likewise the boss 10 provides means for grounding the opposite terminal 26 of the spark gap, it being understood that the bracket 9 may be grounded to a ground-plate in the usual manner, preferably with an avoidance of all bends and turns. In the structure illustrated the bracket 9 is regarded as ground and thespark gap 26 and 27 is adjusted so that the breakdown across the same will 'occur at a lower potential than can effect a puncture through the body -o1 insulating material A. In the adjustment of the spark gap shown in the drawings, it is located within the iron ring formed by the sleeve 7'so that, when a discharge has taken place across the gap, there is a tendency to form a magnetic blow-out to prevent 'the continuance of an arc. Various adjustments both as 'to the position of the spark gap and the length of the same may be eii'ec'ted by screwing the terminals 26 and 27 in and out, or by interchanging their position. The chamber 5 over the oil 28 forms a relief or expansion chamber in the event of discharge, which is further relieved through the vents 19. It is, of course, to be understood that the oil filling 28 may be omitted if desired.

What is claimed and what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent 1. A lightning anester for high potential linescomprising a metallic base having an upwardly extending sleeve and an axially and upwardly extending spark-gap electrode; an insulator unit in the form of a solid of revolution having an end to end axial bore and a co-axial inverted trough to seat said sleeve; and a cap for said insulator unit providing a conductor-connecti'on anda downwardly and axially extending spark-gap electrode.

2. A lightning arrester for high-potential lines comprising an insulating solid of revolution having an open ended axial bore; a closure for the lower end of said bore provi'dinga central spark-gap electrode; and a metallic cap for the top of said insulating solid having rotary locking engagement therewith, providing a downwardly extending spark-gap electrode and attaching means for a conductor.

3. A lightning arrester for high-potential lines comprising a lower member of metal comprising asleeve closed at the bottom and a central boss adjustably mount ing a spark-gap electrode; an upper metal cap having a centrally and downwardly projecting spark-gap electrode; and an insulating body separating said lower member and said gap.

4. A lightning arrester comprising a structure having "a central bore pocketing an oil bathed spark-gap, the upper portion being "an upstanding ring of insulating'materi'al having "gas-vent channels; and a cap forming a Water-shed over said channels but exposing their lower ends and covering said bore.

5. A lightningarrester comprising an oil bathed spark-gap surrounded by a metal sleeve servin the combined purpose of a magnetic blow-out and mechanical support and a solid body of insulation surrounding both the iner and. outer faces of said sleeve throughout the extent of said spark gap.

' '6. A lightning "arrester comprising an oil batlied'jspark-gap surrounded by a sleeve of solid insulating material and outside of that by a metal sleeve serving the combined purpose of a magnetic blow-out and mechanical support.

7. In a lightning 'a'rrester'a channel iron bracket having an upstanding metal sleeve and acentral span -gap electrode whereby an oil cupis formed about said electrode; a body ofin'sulating material mounted on said sleeve; and a second spark-gap electrode supported by said body of insulating material.

8. A lightning arrester for high tension 9. In a lightning arrester an oil cup and transmission lines comprising a metal cap insulator support comprising a cup-s aped having a transverse conductor-seat and laterally extending conductor-clips in line with said seat; a spark-gap electrode downwardly extending from said cap and electrically integral therewith; an insulator having a central bore to clear said electrode serving to mount said cap; and a groundable metallic support for said insulator having a cooperating spark-gap electrode.

metallic member having a seat to engage a cross-arm; and a centrally bored insulator having a downwardly opening ring shaped groove taking over the rim of said cupshaped member.

In Witness whereof I have signed my name to this specification, this 5th day of 20 February, 1917. SOL S. SONNEBORN.

Coplee of this patent may be obtained for five cent! each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 

